The Crown's Obsession

"I will keep that in mind, mother," Lucy offered her mother a warm smile. "Do you think I can go and meet grandmother right now?"

"It would be better if you don't. Your father was upset because your aunt Rosamund went to visit the Queen without his permission. You wouldn't want to irk him now, would you?" whispered Lady Samara and she suggested. "Come let's step out of the room for some air."

But before they could take their leave, Calhoun walked inside the royal court room, bowing his head to the King.

"What news have you brought from the High House, Calhoun? I hope it is something good," said King Laurence.

Calhoun said, "It is my King. The High House has declared Queen Morganna to be guilty for the treason and for murdering while framing an innocent person. Helena said she is willing to give us permission to handle the punishment."

Hearing this, Laurence fell silent, and Lady Samara turned worried on what her husband was going to decide. Though Laurence was furious after finding out his mother had tried to kill him, at the same time, this was his mother.

Now that the time of judgment was here, it was time to make a decision.

"I thought I had a family who loved each other and wouldn't go against each other's neck to kill..." muttered King Laurence under his breath. "But time comes and we need to decide."

Calhoun didn't want to let the opportunity slip away from him, and he said, "It is indeed a sad thing, father. I can only imagine how much this decision weighs on your shoulders."

Laurence nodded his head, "It is good that Lucy isn't staying here and is married. Else who knows, your grandmother would have poisoned you and Samara would be the next one," he sighed in the end. "It is better to ask one of the executioners to run the punishment."

"Father, if you allow me," interrupted Calhoun, "I would like to take the responsibility. She tried to kill the King and instant death is too easy for her. Please allow me to handle this, while you rest at ease so that no harm befalls on you or your image in public."

While King Laurence thought about what Calhoun just said, Lucy's eyes widened by hearing that Calhoun wanted to take the initiative with the punishment.

It was Lady Samara who watched Calhoun with an apprehensive look. It was like invisible lines connected to the events, she could only question if it was her overthinking or if things that were happening were something to do with Calhoun.

"I don't want any relative or family member to think that they could get away easily after causing treason. Any person should think ten times before they try to harm any of us," Calhoun swayed the King.

After a while, Laurence finally gave Calhoun a nod. "I don't want to see or know about her."

"Yes, my King," Calhoun bowed his head.

King Laurence stepped down from his throne and walked out of the room with his wife. Lucy, who was in the room, walked to where Calhoun stood.

"The atmosphere in the castle is not right for you to stay in, Lucy," said Calhoun, his eyes shifting to look at the newlywed vampiress.

Lucy frowned, "It looks like everyone is trying to chase me away from the castle, not wanting my presence in here."

Calhoun then cleared her doubts, "The castle right now is polluted with doubts and mistrust. I wouldn't like you getting involved in it and you should try to stay away from it," he advised her. "You are more than welcome when all these things are settled. It hasn't been long since the King was poisoned, we don't know who else will be poisoned next."

"How are you doing? I heard you were poisoned too," asked Lucy in worry.

Calhoun offered her a smile, "I am doing much better. Almost as if I am all new."

Truthfully, Lucy had mixed feelings about her grandmother, who was going to undergo punishment.

Her grandmother had been nothing but a Queen figure and less of a grandmother to Lucy. The pain of the loss she felt when she had found Ruby hanging in the gallows, the images continued to haunt her when she went to bed.

"Please take care of yourself, brother Calhoun. I shall be going now," informed Lucy.

Calhoun tilted his head to the side, "Aren't you going to stay back? Supper isn't too far."

"Maybe another time," she answered. And it seemed like everyone was busy with other things. She bowed her head, and Calhoun returned it with his own and saw her walk out of the room.

While on her way, Lucy met Theodore in a corridor away from the royal court room. "Are you leaving, milady?" asked Theodore.

Lucy gritted her teeth, and her eyes snapped to meet his eyes, "Don't try to talk to me unless I speak to you first."

A faint smile appeared on Theodore's lips, "It seems like you have finally understood the difference between us. How have the people in the Grivelle's mansion been treating you?"

"They have been treating me very well, thank you. Always making sure to see all my needs are fulfilled and my husband dotes on me. Without giving me empty words that he cannot fulfil, unlike other people," replied Lucy, and Theodore looked at her eyes flared.

"How wonderful. You are a lucky woman," praised Theodore.

Lucy crossed her arms, "Of course I am. I got married into a good family, a husband who loves me. Samuel is a good man, he would never do anything to hurt me. Never."

They stared at each other, an unspoken friction between them without more words being exchanged by them. Around the same time, Samuel arrived at the castle, and he caught sight of his wife, who was standing in front of a meagre bodyguard who served Calhoun.

Samuel noticed something very odd in front of him and his lips twitched. He walked to where his wife stood. He put his arm around Lucy, that surprised her, and said, "Good evening. Are we leaving already?" he asked Lucy.

Even though Lucy had praised her husband, there was an obvious wall that she had built with Samuel, and she smiled, "Yes."

Samuel didn't bother to speak to Theodore and only spared a look at him before taking his wife with him.

Theodore watched the couple who were leaving, his eyes falling on Samuel. There was something different about the man, he thought to himself. The gentle nature had started to evaporate, and the man seemed certainly jealous of him standing in front of Lucy.

Calhoun, who made his way out of the royal court room, walking in the corridors, caught Theodore standing in the middle while staring at the other end of the hall.

"Everything alright?" questioned Calhoun.

"Perfectly splendid," replied Theodore before asking, "Have you decided when to carry out the punishment?"

Calhoun hummed in response. For months, Calhoun had dreamt of feeling the satisfaction of killing the people who had hurt his mother. And even though he had done nothing, the excitement had his lips broaden to a wide smile. It was going to be beautiful.